Navy fighter jet crashes near Lemoore, California

An F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet has crashed in a field in California after the ejection of its pilot.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident happened on Monday afternoon in a dirt field about 3 miles from Lemoore Naval Air Station at 4:05 pm.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in the crash, and the CHP kept the highway open but it was not allowing people to stop to look.

The pilot ejected safely and is in good condition, said base commander Capt. Monty Ashliman. He was taken for a medical evaluation, he added.

The pilot’s name was not released.

California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Jobinger said a fire from the crash has been extinguished.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Ashliman said he hopes the investigation won’t take long, since the Navy wants to draw lessons that can prevent future crashes.

NAS Lemoore, a center for the US Navy’s West Coast F/A-18 fighter jet operations, has lost several jets as well as at least three crew members to crashes over the last decade.

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